Friday, July 06, 2012

Things I learned growing up in the country

Most people who have never lived in the country don't know the rules of the road. There are things that the native Americans knew and tried to offer the white man. Here are a few.

Insect bites are a blessing for the most part. Bee and wasp stings helps your joints stay fluid into old age. IF they don't kill you..they make you stronger. Bee Keepers seldom suffer arthritis.

As long as water is fresh, it's probably safe to drink. That means lakes, streams, rain and wells. You won't die if you can find fresh water. People around the world live very well without bottled water. Bottled water isn't that good for you.

Dirt can be clean and dirty. It is natural to ingest a bit every day and sometimes to add some to your food for bulk inadvertently. Eating clean dirt in moderation is good for you. Every culture eats dirt as part of it's diet..except western cultures.

There are millions of microbes in and out of your body. They live in tension with each other. The ones that come in thru your hands, nostrils, eyes mouth and other orifices are designed too strengthen your immune system. Those who never are exposed to these natural dusts many times develop asthma and allergies that Indians never experienced. Purel is not your friend unless you are a doctor or nurse. Otherwise, a good soap wash is enough from time to time.

I like to be clean and take a shower at least once a day. Good hygiene is important. BUT. Be aware that there are bodily oils that are essential. A good sweat releases them. Don't overdo it.

Try drinking your coffee or tea before you brush your teeth. You want those germs in your mouth to move to your gut. Be careful about taking antibiotics except if you really need them. You need a full gut flora in your intestines. Eat rotten things. Sauerkraut or Kimchi. You don't need to take supplements. A little moldy bread is a good thing. There is much to be learned from the benefits of a good gut flora. The Indians didn't need this information. They ate things like dried Peppican. I have eaten it. It can get a little ripe. That's a good thing.

Shoes are not your buddies. I like good shoes and wear them. YET in many cultures shoes are not worn. When I was young I never wore shoes as a kid. My feet were hard as rocks on the bottom. People in countries who don't wear shoes never have fallen feet, plantar faciaitis or ingrown toenails. Where soil born parasites exist as in Africa in places...wisdom is.... The moccasin was a great way to go. Think of the Kenyan barefoot runners. I still even at my age try to go outside barefoot as much as possible.

Sunshine is good for you. I have to watch not to get too much. YET, overdoing sunscreen and then trying to supplement the loss of sun on your skin with vitamin d is nuts. People in countries where they are in the sun all day long bare skinned seldom get cancer. We have had too many people brainwash too many of us into doing the opposite of what we should. Don't overdo...but get some sun.

Learn to eat from bushes and trees what is available. Some things are not good for you, but with a little study most is. Birds eat them, you probably can too. Yet, do some research. In the wild survival requires that you try a little bit of an unknown plant or fruit. Wait 24 hours. If there is no adverse reaction, you are probably OK to eat it.

The sting of nettles and other skin irritating plants (even including poison ivy) is it's own reward. Once you have suffered initial impact, next time it will be less and then less and then none. I intentionally rub nettles on my skin when I find them. It's like an inoculation. I can walk bare legged in poison ivy and not suffer. How do you think the Indians did it long ago?? Were they nimbly avoiding certain plants as they ran thru the brush? I don't think so.

The perfect mosquito repellent is lots of mosquito bites. Every year I intentionally try to be bit up pretty good. Soon I NEVER swell up from a bite. I was bit yesterday by a wasp and barely noticed. I often thought of how it must have been on the prairie when the native Americans were among HUGE swarms of insects. Some surely from the smell of smoke on their skin as a natural repellent... but some was the natural repellent that came from being bitten.

We live far below our potential because we live in fear of nature. IF we knew how to cooperate with nature instead of trying to avoid...we would do much better.

Don't go all in, but stop the fear. Take it a step at a time. Soon you will discover that you are living better. Not everything the doctor says is true. They can be badly taught too.

One last thing. I AM concerned about vaccinations at the level we are doing it now. I don't think it is good. Be very careful.

No comments: